Alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence are now grouped together under the diagnosis of alcohol use disorder. Alcohol problems vary in severity from mild to life threatening and affect the individual, the person’s family, and society in numerous adverse ways. Despite the focus on illegal drugs of abuse such as cocaine, alcohol remains the number-one drug problem in the United States. Nearly 17 million adults in the U.S. are dependent on alcohol or have other alcohol-related problems, and about 88,000 people die from preventable alcohol-related causes. Most people think addiction means a person has severe withdrawal when not taking alcohol or drugs. Alcohol Use Disorder But withdrawal symptoms occur with ADs and many non-addicting medications.

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Our dedicated team offers compassionate support, ensuring you Alcohol Addiction Treatment have the guidance and resources needed to navigate your journey to sobriety and wellness. If you drink more alcohol than that, consider cutting back or quitting. Many factors can contribute to someone developing alcohol use disorder.

• The reason may be that alcohol tamps down working memory and therefore sparks people to think outside the box.
• Not everyone who binge drinks has an AUD, but they are at higher risk for getting one.

What health complications are associated with alcoholism?

Alcohol interferes with the brain’s communication pathways and can affect the way the brain looks and works. These disruptions can change mood and behavior and make it harder to think clearly and move with coordination. More information about alcohol’s effects on the brain is available https://fourwayimmigration.com/2025/04/17/why-fentanyl-users-bend-over-the-fentanyl-fold/ on NIAAA’s topic page on Alcohol and The Brain.

• Other drugs besides naltrexone can help with different parts of your treatment.
• This could mean an emphasis on therapy for someone who is depressed, or inpatient treatment for someone with severe withdrawal symptoms.
• Alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence are now grouped together under the diagnosis of alcohol use disorder.
• Treatment can include counseling, medications, residential programs, and support groups.
• A strong social support system and early medical or psychiatric intervention may also help prevent the escalating consumption of alcohol so characteristic of alcoholism.

Prevention of Alcohol Use Disorder

Check with your doctor about the safest way to cut back if you’re used to regularly drinking large amounts of alcohol. In this disorder, people can’t stop drinking, even when drinking affects their health, puts their safety at risk and damages their personal relationships. Studies show most people can reduce how much they drink or stop drinking entirely. If you feel that you sometimes drink too much alcohol, or your drinking is causing problems, or if your family is concerned about your drinking, talk with your health care provider. Other ways to get help include talking with a mental health professional or seeking help from a support group such as Alcoholics Anonymous or a similar type of self-help group.